Mother Austin Carroll, authoress of the Life of Mother Mc Cauley, Leaves of the Annals of the Sisters of Mercy (4 vols.), Life of St Alphonsus, Life of Venerable Clement Hofbauer, Glimpses of Pleasant Homes, Happy Hours of Childhood and a number of other valuable works, was born in Clonmel, Ireland, in 1836, educated mostly there. Entered the Convent of St. Mary’s of the Isle, Cork, 1853, and professed 1854. Aided in establishing the Order in Buffalo, Rochester, Omaha, under... Read more
June is traditionally the month when most ordinations to the priesthood take place. For that reason, for this month “McNamara’s Blog” will be highlighting the history of the priesthood in the United States by looking at ordinations, seminaries, and historic “firsts,” such as the following: The first Catholic priest ordained within the limits of the original thirteen States of the Union, pioneer missionary of Kentucky, b. at Orléans, France, 17 July, 1768; d. at Cincinnati, Ohio, 21 April, 1853. Educated... Read more
The Order of the Star Spangled Banner was founded in New York in 1849 in opposition to the rise of a predominantly Catholic immigration to the United States. Members were pledged to secrecy about the order. When asked about it, they answered “I know nothing”; hence the nickname the “Know-Nothings.” During the 1850’s, membership rose rapidly among native-born white Protestants who termed themselves “native Americans.” Here is an account of an Alabama Know-Nothing who subsequently repudiated his views and converted... Read more
In further considering the First Commandment of the Church it is to be noted that there is no other difference between the Third Commandment of God and the First Commandment of the Church except that the Church, inspired by the Holy Ghost and following Apostolic tradition, orders the Sunday to be observed instead of the Sabbath, and also orders the observance of some feasts. Since we can show God no greater honor, nor serve Him more agreeably than by offering... Read more
Born John Edward Kelly in County Kildare, Ireland, he was known in boxing circles as “Nonpareil Jack Demsey” because of his reputation as being unbeatable in the ring. In his first 65 matches, he lost only three times. He reigned as World Middleweight Champion from July 30, 1884, to January 14, 1891. He lost to Bob Fitzsimmons in the thirteenth round at New Orleans’ Olympia Club. Dempsey lost a battle to tuberculosis on November 1, 1895. Dempsey was buried... Read more
Our Lady of the May By J. Corson Miller Hail, thou thrice-glorious Queen of the slumbering night! All hail, immortal Queen of radiant day! Sweet Mistress of the May— Through thee, through thee The Son of God assumed the mystery Of flaming Savior for this fallen world, And death was hurled Into the pit devoid of joy and light. Dawn, preening rosy pinions for His flight Across the gold-splashed gardens of the sun, Must hide his face and run... Read more
The New York Mission to Deaf Mutes By Rev. Joseph Rockwell, S.J. The Woodstock Letters, Vol. XXVIII (1899): 248-252. For some years back, a Father of the Society has been in charge of the deaf mutes of New York City. He preaches to them in the sign language every Sunday afternoon, at St. Francis Xavier’s, and looks after the spiritual interests of the deaf and dumb, who are scattered over the large area of New York City, Brooklyn, and Jersey... Read more
This popular favorite has made herself a prominent place among the actresses whose forte is found in emotional roles. She was born in New York, January 4, 1873, and is the daughter of Thomas and Minnie Savorie Walsh. Miss Walsh made her debut on the professional stage at the age of sixteen, with Marie Wainwright, as Olivia in “Twelfth Night.” She remained with Miss Wainwright for three seasons, and then joined Mr. Chas. Frohman, and created the part of Diana... Read more
CHURCH OF ST. JOAN OF ARC. Parish at Jackson Heights First in America to be Named for New Saint. (The New York Times, July 11, 1920) Ground was broken last Tuesday for the new church of St. Joan of Arc, on Fillmore Avenue, Jackson Heights, Queens. This new parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn was established by Bishop Charles E. McDonnell of Brooklyn on the very day that world pilgrims were gathered at St. Peter’s, Rome, to... Read more
Georginia Pell Curtis’s 1909 anthology Some Roads to Rome offers a series of first-hand accounts of Catholic converts. The following is the story of an unidentified U.S. Army officer who embraced Catholicism. His account of going to Confession during the Philippine War is quite interesting, and sheds some light on the real universality of the Church. This entry is part of an ongoing series on Catholic converts in McNamara’s Blog. AN ARMY OFFICER For generations, so far back as... Read more
McNamara's Blog
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In